Ordained to the Holy Priesthood in 1918
Consecrated as Metropolitan in April 7, 1938
Appointed as Metropolitan of Kollam Diocese & Outside Kerala Region in 1938
Fell Asleep in the Lord on August 6, 1965
Metropolitan Alexios Mar Theodosios was born on August 28, 1888 as M. M. Alexander, in a religious family in Niranam, Kerala, India. His parents we re Mathai and Kunjamma of Mattackal. He had his education at M G M High School, Thiruvalla, M D High School, Kottayam, and C.M.S College in Kottayam.
Alexander was called to the ministry of the Church at the age of 19 in 1907 and received ordination as subdeacon. Dn. Alexander, following their college education, joined Bristol Divinity College in East Bengal in 1915 and later in 1918 at Serampore College for theological studies. He was ordained to the Diaconate by the hands of the Malankara Metropolitan, His Eminence Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysios. In that year Dn. Alexander was ordained as a priest by Metropolitan Yuyakim Mar Ivanios at Parumala Seminary and was called Fr. Alexios.
While studying at Serampore college, Fr. Alexios came in to contact with Fr. P. T. Geevarghese Panicker. Both of them worked together to establish a Monastery near Perunad in 1918. The land was donated by E. J. John Elanjikal of Niranam, along with other well-wishers. The Monastery was known as 'Bethany Ashram'. Unfortunately, Fr. Geevarghese Panicker fell away from the Orthodox faith and joined the Catholic Church. Fr. Alexios along with other devout monks patiently waited upon the Lord and together formed the present Bethany Ashram.
The Malankara Syrian Christian Association citing the monastic zeal of Fr. Alexios and his prayerful heart, elected him to the office of Metropolitan. His Holiness Catholicos Geevarghese II consecrated Fr. Alexios as Metropolitan with the name Alexios Mar Theodosius on April 7, 1938 on Mount Carmel Dayara in Mulunthuruthy. He was entrusted with the Diocese of Kollam, and later the Outside Kerala Diocese, which included the forming communities in North America. The Church in North America cannot forget the foresight and vision of Mar Theodosius. He saw the endless possibilities in the development of the Church beyond the boundaries of Kerala, hence it is only appropriate for him to be known as the Architect of the Outside Kerala Diocese.
In 1947, a nucleus of the Diocese was laid when the Metropolitan formed the Indian Orthodox Mission at Madras. This was followed by organizing a group of four dedicated priests namely Rev. Fr. K. A. George, Rev. Fr. C. V. John, Rev. Fr. Simon Mathews and Rev. Fr. K. C. Thomas (later His Grace, Metropolitan Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios of blessed memory), who were sent to Pune, Calcutta, Connor and Delhi respectively.
The venerable Metropolitan represented the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in various international forums including the World Council of Churches. His Grace was also a member of the central committee of the WCC.
It was Metropolitan Alexios Mar Theodosius' unflinching faith, and unwillingness to compromise on the integrity of the church, that preserved the church from difficult trials and tribulations.
On August 6, 1965, the prayerful Metropolitan closed his eyes to this life and opened his eyes to Paradise. He was entombed in the very monastery whose vision and mission he personally helped cultivate - Bethany Ashram in Ranni, Perunad.
